Canon PowerShot SD800 IS Digital Camera

Product Report for the Canon PowerShot SD800 IS Digital Camera

Rating:

Price*: Used from $239. New $399.00

Return Policy: The Powershot a80 is warranted against defects in materials or workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of original purchase.

Introduction: This is one exciting Digital ELPH. Everything you would expect from a quality camera like this has been included: A 7.1 megapixel CCD to render images in crystal clear detail and a DIGIC III Image Processor for superb quality and speedy operation. Also in this Canon SD 800 is a wide-angle 3.8x optical zoom with Image Stabilizer technology for rock steady zooms. This really sets it apart. The Canon SD800 IS Digital ELPH is a step ahead of the crowd.

Product Features

7.1-megapixel CCD give you images of uncompromising texture and detail
3.8x image-stabilized wide zoom; 2.5-inch LCD display
9-point AiAF, single point AF, Flexizone AF, and Face-priority AF
Stores images on SD cards; powered by Lithium-ion rechargeable battery NB-5L
Now supports SDHC cards (Secure Digital cards with over 2 GB capacity)

Technical Details:

Type of camera: Compact digital still camera with built-in flash and lens shift-type image stabilizer
Type: 1/2.5-inch Charge Coupled Device (CCD)
Total pixel count: Approximately 7.4 megapixels
Effective pixels: Approximately 7.1 megapixels
Focal length: 4.6 to 17.3 mm, f2.8 to f5.8 (35mm equivalent: 28 to 105mm)
Optical zoom: 3.8x
Digital zoom: 4x
Combined zoom: 15x
Focusing range: Normal: 1.5 feet to infinity; macro: 1.2 inches to 2.0 feet (wide), 1 to 2.0 feet (telephoto); digital macro: 1.2 inches to 2.0 feet (wide)
Autofocus system: TTL Autofocus
Optical viewfinder: Real-image optical zoom
LCD monitor: 2.5-inch low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT color; 15-level brightness adjustment
LCD pixels: Approximately 207,000
LCD coverage: 100 percent
Maximum aperture: f2.8 (W) x f5.8 (T)
Shutter speed: 15 to 1/1600 second; long shutter operates with noise reduction when manually set at 1.3 to 15 seconds
Sensitivity: Auto, high ISO auto, ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 equivalent
Light metering method: Evaluative, center-weight average, spot (metering frame is fixed to center)
Exposure control method: Program AE; AE lock as available
Exposure compensation: Plus or minus 2 stops in 1/3 increments
White balance control: Auto, preset (daylight, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent, fluorescent H), custom
Built-in flash: Auto, auto with red-eye reduction, auto with slow synchro, flash on, flash on with red-eye reduction, flash on with slow synchro, flash off
Flash range: Normal: 1.6 to 13 feet (W), 1.6 to 6.6 feet (T); macro: 1 to 1.6 feet when sensitivity is set to ISO auto
Recycling time: 10 seconds or less
Flash exposure compensation: Not available
Shooting modes: Auto, camera M, special scene (portrait, foliage, snow, beach, fireworks, aquarium, underwater, indoor, kids and pets, night snapshot), color accent, color swap, digital macro, stitch assist, movie
Photo effects: My colors, vivid, vivid blue, vivid green, vivid red, neutral, sepia, black and white, positive film, lighter skin tone, darker skin tone, custom color
Self-timer: Activates shutter after an approximately 2-second/10-second delay, custom
Wireless control: Not available
Continuous shooting: Approximately 1.7 frames per second (fps)
Storage media: SD memory card, SDHC memory card, MultiMediaCard
File format: Design rule for camera file system, DPOF version 1.1
Image compression: Normal, fine, superfine
JPEG compression mode: Still image: Exif 2.2 (JPEG); movie: AVI (image: motion JPEG; audio: monaural WAVE)
Number of recording pixels: 640 x 480 (small); 1,600 x 1,200 (medium 3); 2,048 x 1,536 (medium 2); 2,592 x 1,944 (medium 1); 3,072 x 2,304 (large); 3.072 x 1,728 (widescreen); 640 x 480/320 x 240 (movie 1, 30 fps/15 fps) available up to 4 GB; 320 x 240 (movie 2, 1 minute at 60 fps); 160 x 120 (movie 3, 3 minutes at 15 fps)
Playback modes file: Still image: single, magnification (approximately 2x-10x), jump, auto rotate, rotate, resume playback, my category, histogram, index (9 thumbnails), sound memos, slide show; movie: normal playback, special playback, editing
Erase modes: Still image: single image, by date, by category, by folder, all images; movie: part of movie, all of movie
Computer interface: USB 2.0 high-speed with mini-B jack
Video out: NTSC/PAL
Audio out: Monaural
Power source: Recharge lithium battery, AC adapter kit
Battery shooting capacity: Approximately 270 shots (LCD on); approximately 600 shots (LCD off)
Battery playback time : Approximately 360 minutes
Dimensions (W x H x D): 3.52 x 2.28 x .99 inches
Weight: 5.29 ounces
Warranty: 1 year parts and labor
What's in the box: PowerShot SD800 IS, lithium battery pack, battery charger, SD memory card, wrist strap, Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM, USB cable, AV cable, user's manual

Overview:

The Canon SD800 IS is perfect for you if you don't want to worry about shutter speeds and apertures to get great pictures. If Auto mode doesn't do the trick for you, the Programmed Auto (M) accesses options like White Balance, EV compensation, and Metering. And if that's still too much work, you have a nice selection of scene modes that'll solve any problem.

The Canon SD800 IS Digital Elph has a nice sculpted shell which makes it very user friendly. And it extends to features like Face Detect autofocus and its excellent image stabilization that helps get sharp shots at its 15x digital zoom limit and in low light situations, too.

The Canon SD800 is an excellent performer no matter what aspect you consider, with superior focusing and low light performance matched with a powerful flash that doesn't make you wait forever to recharge. And with a day-long battery, you couldn't ask for a better companion no matter where you're going.

Customer Comments:

What a great camera! I am an ex-wedding photographer and am very picky about the equipment I buy. This camera produces beautiful images and downloads them very quickly to your computer using the included Canon software. Be sure and get a 1GB fast SD card...it pays off in fast image save times as well as image upload times. The 28MM eq. lens is very rare in this size camera as is the optical image stabilization system. The portrait mode does a great job of eliminating red eye, unlike many other cameras. There are even a few manual settings available for those so inclined. Try using the exposure compensation to darken up a shot to add some drama.The only con is that the zoom switch is a bit jerky, but that's a nit. Another great camera choice in this category is the Casio Ex-Z850 which I have used and also love. The Canon 800IS beats the Casio for 2 reasons, 28MM eq lens and true optical image stabilization vs. the digital kind. I am completely satisfied with this camera and Highly recommend it to anyone. Joe B. in Oakdale, NY

800 vs 700 settled toss up. When comparing the elph IS features, if all other things are roughly equal except what I mention here, it was tough, but I chose the 700. I bought the 700 for it's longer than average 4x zoom on a point & shoot. Then I thought maybe I should try the 800 because of the wide angle, new processor, and higher ISO and megapixels. But, even with the 3.8x zoom, because the 800 lens starts off lower already (28mm eqv.) to get the wide angle, it's max range of 4.6-17.3mm zoom does not even come close to the 700's 5.8 -23.2 max opt. range..plus though somewhat useless, the digital range is less too and the small bump up in MP doesn't compensate. If you find you are always wanting to get more in a shot, get the 800 with the wide angle; as the other features are better. For the shots I usually take, I find I crave the higher zoom so much that the other upgrades were not as important to me. If, like me, you think you'd be bothered by not being able to zoom in as closely, get the 700. If I want more in the shot, I can just stitch assist. By ksoe

If your looking for a compact digital camera with a wide 28mm low end and aren't all that interested in a longer high end tele range (which I'm not), look no further than the Canon SD800. I've had 2 previous Canon digitals because of their excellent reputation and cost to function & quality factors - very satisfied with each. I was tempted to go with a semi-pro digital again this go round, but for every day shooting and the occasional creative spurt I'm extremely satisfied with the Canon SD800. Richard Shelton in Baltimore, MD

Great camera suited for social occasions. I had a camera from Canon's A series, which was a great little thing, however, it did not fit in pockets very well. This camera has no problem mixing with your cellphone in your pocket. As for the important information about this camera, the wide angle lens does make it better for group shots, and I have not really noticed much barrel distortion. The best photos are taken with this camera when the flash is off, I think the flash completely over saturates the image usually with this camera. The image stabilization is noticeable, took a picture in a pretty dark room( think just Christmas tree and tv on) without the stabilization, the dominoes box 5 feet from me was unreadable, with it on I could make out the text. I am impressed. By Arrmed in Mississippi